Citizens' application; submission
Brief description
Citizens can use a citizens' petition to oblige the responsible municipal body to deal with a specific matter at a meeting.
Description
The citizens' petition is an instrument of direct democracy at municipal level. With the help of a citizens' petition, citizens of a municipality can oblige the responsible municipal body (municipal council, committee, first mayor) or citizens of a district can oblige the responsible district body to deal with a specific matter at a meeting.
Prerequisites
A citizens' petition must relate to municipal matters at municipal level and district matters at district level. It may not relate to a matter for which a citizens' petition has already been submitted within one year prior to the submission of the petition.
The citizens' petition at municipal level must be signed by at least 1% of municipal residents. Municipal citizens are entitled to sign. The citizens' petition must be submitted to the municipality with a justification. In addition, up to three persons must be nominated who are authorized to represent the signatories. This applies accordingly at district level.
If there are no legal objections to the citizens' petition, the responsible municipal or district body determines its admissibility. It must then deal with the citizens' petition.Deadlines
The municipal or district authority responsible for dealing with the matter must decide on the admissibility of the citizens' petition within one month of the petition being submitted.
Once the admissibility of the citizens' petition has been established, it must be dealt with by the responsible municipal body or, at district level, the district body within three months.Legal basis
- Art. 18b Municipal Code for the Free State of Bavaria (Gemeindeordnung - GO)
Citizens' application
- Art. 12b County Code for the Free State of Bavaria (County Code - LKrO)
Citizens' application
- Art. 18b Municipal Code for the Free State of Bavaria (Gemeindeordnung - GO)
Legal remedy
Administrative court action (prevailing opinion)Processing time
The municipal or district authority responsible for dealing with the matter must decide on the admissibility of the citizens' petition within one month of the petition being submitted.
Once the admissibility of the citizens' application has been established, it must be dealt with within three months by the responsible municipal body or, at district level, the district body.